As Syrians continue to flee their country in droves, other nations have been urged to give these refugees safe haven.
Last week, President Obama announced that the United States will take in 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year. The plan is for the State Department to work with private non-profits who coordinate with local communities to find homes for refugees in various states.
This decision will not only affect our country at large, but will surely affect our state of North Carolina, possibly more so than most states. The Washington Post cites NC as being one of the top states that have received refugees from various countries in recent years.
While the number of refugees that the United States has promised to receive is far less than countries like Germany have pledged to welcome, many are concerned with the national security risk involved in the U.S. welcoming so many refugees in such a short amount of time, as well as the potential strain on our resources. Certainly there are measures that can be taken to ensure that those who enter pose no threat to our own citizens. Hopefully the State Department will make that a priority while providing refuge for Syrians displaced by their country’s civil war.
What do you think? This is surely a great humanitarian crisis. But what should the role of the United States be, particularly when weighing the national security and economic risks involved? Let us know what you think and keep an eye on our main page where we will soon have a poll on this issue.
Leave a Comment